Who We Are |
The International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Canada is an association of professionals in the field of public participation (P2), who seek to promote and improve the practice in relation to individuals, governments, institutions, and other entities that affect the public interest in Canada and around the world.
IAP2 Canada members are a diverse community of professionals, citizens, academics, and decision-makers who are committed to involving the public in decisions that affect them.
Our membership spans virtually every sector where meaningful public engagement takes place:
Across the Federation, Affiliates, and Chapters, IAP2 attracts people who are passionate about public participation. There are many ways to get involved: join a board, contribute to a conference steering committee, write for the newsletter, volunteer as a webinar speaker, or simply connect with a growing professional network.
We carry out our mission through the 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, shaped by feedback from the IAP2 Canada community through our periodic Community Survey.
We serve the learning needs of our members through world-class training events, curated publications, and communication technology that connects the P2 community.
We champion the principles and value of genuine public participation throughout Canada and internationally, making the case that inclusive engagement leads to better decisions.
We promote a results-oriented research agenda and use evidence to support educational programming and advocacy goals, building the knowledge base of the P2 profession.
We provide direct technical assistance to organizations and practitioners to improve the design and delivery of public participation processes across all sectors.
Our roadmap for advancing P2 practice in Canada, built with community input and focused on impact.
The IAP2 model allows for local engagement, national representation, and international participation, connecting practitioners from every corner of the globe.
The global governing body. Focuses on broad, strategic, internationally-impacting initiatives including training standards, certification, and the IAP2 brand.
National organizations that deliver IAP2 knowledge, services, and value through a local lens. Each affiliate adapts the IAP2 mission to its country's context.
Seven regional Chapters provide the community-level link for members, offering regional events, networking, and engagement opportunities. Chapter members are first members of IAP2 Canada.
IAP2 Canada and other affiliate boards focus on the services and information required for members within their country. In Canada, we focus on developing a broad range of member benefits and services.
The IAP2 organizational model uses a federation comprised of national affiliates. This recognizes that affiliates are best placed to deliver IAP2 knowledge, information, and value to members through a national lens, while making it easier to share best practices between affiliates internationally.
Members of the seven regional Chapters are first members of IAP2 Canada. Chapters are a major benefit of membership. They provide the regional and community link for members, creating opportunities for regional engagement, networking, and local professional development.
Chapters host local events, facilitate peer connections, and amplify national IAP2 Canada programming within their regions.
The IAP2 Federation Board focuses on broad, strategic, internationally-impacting initiatives, including:
The IAP2 Federation has a direct link with trainers in every affiliate, and each affiliate has its own training strategy. In Canada, licensed trainers operate on an entrepreneurial model and are able to deliver training anywhere in the country.
IAP2 Canada or any Chapter can host training by contracting a licensed trainer to deliver the program, acting as a host rather than a trainer itself.
Browse our latest courses, webinars, and community events.